Grandview

The L. P. Best Mansion, garage, and chauffer's quarters were completed in 1910 and sensitively converted to premium apartments in 1928. This quiet apartment complex in Davenport's Gold Coast, located just 2 blocks from downtown Davenport and 3 blocks from the Palmer College campus, is situated in a park like setting on over an acre of land, with ample off street parking. This fine mansion provides a unique ambiance and quality surroundings that will not be found in modern cookie cutter type apartments. Our goal is to preserve this very important architectural masterpiece, and at the same time provide unique, quality housing.

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Historic View - 1910

A View From the Property

Front Hall Entrance

Entrance Hall and Staircase

Front Hall and Staircase

Architecture

The architectural style of the mansion is Spanish Mission Revival. The interior detailing is in the Arts and Crafts style. The mansion was designed by Davenport's leading architectural firm, Clausen and Clausen. Advanced for its time, the structure constructed entirely of masonry with reinforced concrete and hollow-tile floor systems to provide an increased level of sound control and resist fire.

NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

The owners have completed extensive historical research with the aim of nominating the "Louis P. and Clara K. Best Residence and Auto House" to the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination was reviewed and unanimously approved by the Davenport Historic Preservation Commission. Subsequently, it was unanimously approved by the State National Register Review Committee. The property was entered into the National Register of Historic Places on May 28, 2010.

Even though the property was already listed by virtue of the fact that it is a contributing resource within the Hamburg National Register District, the owners are hoping to raise the status and increase general awareness of the importance of this property.